Meet The Ruffians #9: Operations Manager, Sam

Introducing, Ruffians Operations Manager and self titled “Wolf of Wigmore Street”, Sam. Having started as a barber in Marylebone, Sam climbed the Ruffians ladder and now oversees the management of all five of our shops whilst also still cutting hair three days a week! Here’s what he had to say about his time at Ruffians.

How long have you worked for Ruffians?
For 3 years now – I started as a barber at Marylebone, then manager of Marylebone and now I’m the group operations manager of the company.  

What’s the best thing about being a Ruffians barber? 
Working in a store where every member of staff brings something different to the table from personalities to talent and I am fortunate enough to call many of them friends

Describe Ruffians in three words
Passionate, Meticulous, Exciting 

Tell us about your most memorable day at Ruffians 
I always love the Friday before everyone leaves for Christmas – we have a full team, everyone’s firing out Christmas specials, the customers have the ultimate Friday feeling, the shops fizzing and I get to work with everyone!

What inspired you to get into barbering?
I’ll be honest, I went into hairdressing originally because it was a room full of girls, I was 15 years old so that was my main focus. I realised soon after that I actually quite liked cutting hair luckily but preferred the technicalities of men’s hair, I wanted to cut all my friends hair. I also have a strong case of verbal diarrhea so can’t stop myself talking all day so I definitely needed a career that this could work for. I wanted to go to work with a smile and leave with one! Couldn’t have gone better to be honest – I’m a firm believer in the idea that, if you don’t like your job, don’t do it. 

Who is your all time hair icon? 
All of the rolling stones. They’ve had it all and even at their ripe ages they’ve got some serious pelt. 

If you could get your work featured in any magazine, which would it be? 
GQ – I grew up reading it, taking advice and trying to look cool. I know it’s a place many people go to for all their questions and info on all things men’s fashion! 

If you could cut any celebrity’s hair, who would it be? 
I’d like to give Boris Johnson a good trim. The guy needs some serious help and maybe I could chill him out abit. 

How do you stay inspired to be the best barber you can be? 
The people around me! I also like to go on at least one course a year which doesn’t have to be men’s hair. I’ve learnt some amazing techniques from hairdressing courses too. I also am fortunate enough to know my clients really well, I want to deliver the best cut every time. 

What’s your idea of the perfect day off? 
Wake up – bacon and sausage sarnie, then I’d walk down to the pub have a pint in the sun and probably stroke someone’s doggo. At this point I’d be pretty snoozy, so, head back –  have a nap probably after watching some Border force Australia. In the evening, meet some friends for dinner, something BBQ related. Inevitably give myself meat sweats and head home. I’d wake up the next day hangover free – obviously. 

Do you have any tattoos? Which is your favourite and why? 
I’ve got quite a few – I don’t really have favourites but if I had to pick it’d be the tiger on my knee  – it does have 3 eyes for some reason which I became aware of after the fact, but it works – although I certainly won’t be getting the other knee done for a while.

Getting a haircut is a great way of taking some time for self-care. How do you like to treat yourself to some ‘me time’? 
I like to take a long walk, I like to look around me, clear my head and listen to music. I love walking through London. 

What’s your favourite song of all time and why? 
Lucky Man by The Verve. It reminds me of a lot of great memories and great people – I also like to think that I’m incredibly lucky, right place right time kind of guy.

To book in with Sam or any of the talented barbers across our five shops, click here